Lock washer



Jan. 19, 1932. c. G. QLSON 1,841,669

LOCK WASHER Filed March 25, 1931 ?atentecl Jan. 1 9, 1932 UNITED,{STATES PATENT oFncE CARL GWOLSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGhTORSHAKEPROOF LOCK WASHER COE- rm, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFDELAWARE nocx wasimn Application filed latch 85, 1931. SerialITO-525,094.

My invention relates generally to lock type having an improved prongedconstruetion.

' More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a lockwasher from flat spring stock having a plurality of radial prongs formedalong one margin thereof, in

which work engaging edges are positioned out of the plane of the washerstock by defleeting said prongs in a novel manner.

My invention contemplates the'provision of radial prongs as above setforth, in which opposed mar 'ns thereof are deflected in oppositedirections out of the plane of the '20 washer stock, the degree ofdeflection of said margins at the root of the prongs being greater thanthe .degree of deflection at the opposite end of the prong, whereby torovide edges for lockingly engaging a wor piece clamped thereagainst.

It is a further object of my invention to provideia prong constructionin which the opposed margins thereof are oppositely deflected or warpedout of the plane of the washer stock so as to render the outer end ofthe and to present work engaging edges lying in planes spaced from andparallel with the body of the washer.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages will be moreapparent from the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawin'gs,'wb.erein I Figure 1 is aplan view of a lock washer constructed in accordance with the teachingsof my invention; a 1 I 7 Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of thelotzk washer taken substantially along the line 2-' -2'of Figure 1;

I Figure 3 is-a lock washer having external prongs constructed inaccordance with the teachings of my invention; s

Figure 4 is an enlarged transversesection prong more resilient than theroot thereof stantially alongthe line 4-4 thereof;

Figure 5 is a similar transverse sectional view taken along the line 55of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an end elevational view as viewed along the line 6-6 ofFigure 3; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary enlarged perspectlve view of the lock washerof Figure 1 to more clearly disclose the structural characteristics ofthe locking prongs.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail wherein like numerals havebeen employed to designate similar parts throughout the; variousfigures, it will be seen that one embodiment of my invention includes alock washer designated generally bythe numeral 10, Figures 1, 2, and 7.This washer includes an annular body portion 12 and a plurality ofradial prongs 14 formed integral with and extending from the internalmargin of one of the prongs of Figure 3 taken subof the body portion 12.This washer 10 is preferably formed from flat spring stock.

Particular attention is directed to the structural characteristics ofthe prongs 14. It will be noted that triangulai'ly shaped marginalportions 16 of each prong are deflected in opposite directions out ofthe plane of the body portion 12. By deflecting these triangularlyshaped flanges or leaves 16 in themanner disclosed, work engaging edges18 are positioned out of the plane, of the washer stock, and these edgeslie in planes substantially parallel to the plane of the washer body. Ini order to provide the marginal leaves 16 as above described, it isnecessary to impart a sharp or acute dsfiection to the margin of theprong at the root thereof and-a considerably less angular deflection atthe outer end of the prong. In other words, the free extremities of theprongs are-provided .with flange portions which are more resilient thanthe flange portions at the root of the prong. It may be stated that theprongs 14 which are formed integral'with and extending from the bodyportion 12 each comprises three substantiallytriangular are sorsections. Acentralflat area is designa ed by the letter A, Figure 1, andthe oppositely deflected marginalflanges 16 arepositioned along theopposed margins of the sections'A. In order er angular deflection. Thisconstruction enables the root portions of the prong to vigorously opposea clamping force tending to flatten same, and the wider portions of theflanges are adapted to more yieldingly or resiliently resist saidclamping pressure. The invention is particularly adaptable for use inconnection with securing soft materials against retrograde movement.

In Figures 3 to 6 inclusive I have disclosed a modified Washer which Ihave designed generally by the numeral 10a. The prongs of this washerare constructed in a manner similar to the tapered prongs 14 ofFigure 1. Numerals designating the various portions of the washer 10acorrespond with the numerals designating equivalent structures ofFigure 1. Figures 4 to 6 inclusive serve to more clearly illustrate thedifference in degrees of deflection of the triangular marginal prongsections 16. Thus it will be seen that at the root of the prongs, themargins 16 are nearly perpendicular to the plane of the washer body. InFigures 5 and 6 it will be apparent that the degree of angulardeflection with respect to the body portion decreases toward the outeror free end of the prongs.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that my invention contemplatesthe provision of a lock washer having prongs of improved practicalconstruction. It will be apparent that each prong comprisessubstantially three elements, namely, the central flat section A andupwardly and downwardly deflected sections 16 which are also triangularin shape and which taper toward the root of the prong. The angle ofdeflection of these tapering portions with respect to the plane of thewasher increases toward the root of the prong in such a manner that theedge 18 at the narrow part of the section 16 is positioned the samedistance from the plane of the body portion as the portion of said edgeat the wider section of the flange 16. In other words, the edges of thetapered deflected sections 16 are positioned in planes parallel with andspaced from the plane of the flat central section. A throughout theirentire length.

By having the deflected sections or flanges increasing in angularitytoward the rootso that the portion thereof adjacent the root .is nearlyperpendicular to the plane of the body 12 or central prong section'A,atooth construction is presented which is adapted to carry increasedload at the root and which provides for increased elasticity orresiliency at its outer end. That is to say, the inner extremities ofthe prong are positive in lockappended claims:

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A lock washer of flat spring stock in- 1 eluding an annular bodyportion, and a plurality of prongs extending from one of the marginsthereof, opposite margins of each prong being angularly deflected out ofthe plane of the washer stock so as to present work engaging edges lyingin planes spaced from and substantially parallel to the plane ofthewasher body, said marginal portions being subjected to a greaterangular deflection at the root than at the outer end of the prong,whereby to render the outer extremity of said edges more yieldinglyresistant to clamping pressure than the portion of said edges adjacentthe root of said prong.

2. A look washer of flat spring stock including an annular body portion,and a plurality of prongs formed integral with and extending from one ofthe margins of said body portion, each of said prongs comprising acentral substantially flat triangular section and triangular marginalsections deflected out of the plane of the washer body in oppositedirections, whereby to present edges for lockingly engaging a work piececlamped thereagainst.

.3. A lock washer of flat spring stock including an annular bodyportion, and prongs extending therefrom, the opposite margins of eachprong being provided with triangularly shaped flanges angularlydeflected out of the plane of the Washer stock, the portions of saidflanges adjacent the root of the prongs having a greater angulardeflection with respect to the body portion than the portion of saidflanges positioned at the opposite ends of said pron 4. A lock washer offl a t spring stock including an annular bodyportion, and a plurality ofprongs formed along one mar in thereof, opposite margins of each pronging formed with flanges angularly deflected. in opposite directions outof the plane of the body portion, the degree of angular deflection ofeach flange decreasing from the root to the free extremity of the rong,whereby to render the outer ends of t e prongs more yieldingly resistantto clamping pressure than the roots thereof.

5. A look washer of flat spring stock including an'annular body portion,and a plurality of tapered prongs provided along the internal marginthereof, the opposite margins of-each internal prong having triangularportions thereof deflected in opposite directions out of the plane ofthe washer stock,

whereby to present work e ing edges spaced from the lane of, said heyportion.

6. A look was er of the class described formed from flat spring stockincluding an annular body portion, and a plurality of prongs formedalong and extending from the outer margin of said body portion, saidprongs being provided with substantially triangular marginal flangesalong opposite margins thereof which are oppxositely deflected out ofthe plane of the was er body to osition edges thereof out of the plane0' the washer body for lockingly engaging a work piece.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CARL G. OLSON.

